The towns of Dedham, Needham, Walpole, and Westwood, Massachusetts are working together to prevent and reduce underage substance use.
about usAs part of our commitment to supporting local youth and families, MassCALL3 Prevention Partners have partnered with parents and guardians of Dedham, Needham, Walpole, and Westwood youth to create the Guardrails, Not Roadblocks Campaign.
The campaign encourages parents to:
· TALK to your child about expectations and consequences related to substance use;
· CONNECT with other parents if your child spends time at their home, and;
· TAKE ACTION to keep alcohol and other substances locked up safely in your home.
Trusted adults play a pivotal role in youth prevention, you can make a difference! We hope you’ll take the time to learn more about how to have a conversation with the young people in your life; we invite you to visit our website to view facts about the impact of alcohol and other drugs on youth, ways to get involved locally, and SAMHSA Talk They Hear You campaign materials to start the conversation.
Watch this video to learn the basics of community prevention and understand how prevention strategies work to enhance our health and safety:
In 2024, over 120 high school students from Dedham, Needham, Walpole, and Westwood shared their "why," or their motivation for choosing to stay healthy and substance-free in a project titled "#MyWhy: Sharing Our Voices," through the MassCALL3 regional youth substance use prevention grant.
The project is based on #MyWhyNDAFW from the National Institute on Durg Abuse and asks student participants to think about the question "What motivates you to stay healthy and substance-free?" and to write their responses on a handout provided by MassCALL3 Prevention Partners staff.
The students' responses have been compiled into videos by town, as well as a regional video that serves as an uplifting reminder of some of the unique reasons our youth have for choosing to navigate away from high-risk behaviors.
As part of our commitment to supporting local youth, the towns of Dedham, Needham, Walpole, and Westwood are proud to be a licensed partner of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign.
Parents and caregivers are able to access campaign materials and resources aimed at equipping them with information, skills, and confidence to talk with youths about the risks of underage drinking and substance use.
The MassCALL3 Prevention Partners created two public service announcements in partnership with “Talk. They Hear You.” that were shown at Showcase Cinemas in Legacy Place and Patriot Place in the spring of 2023 and 2024. You can view the two videos below:
How does alcohol impact our health? How do alcohol policies impact access and availability in our communities?
Watch the "Alcohol: Health, Safety, and Prevention in Massachusetts" community forum to learn the facts related to the impacts of alcohol use on adolescent development, physical health, and community safety.
Forum topics include:
-Adolescent brain development
-Risk factors for developing a substance use disorder
-The science of addiction
-The realities of living in recovery
